Cornwall Flag | British County Flags British County Flags Posted on April 7, 2013 by vexilo Cornwall’s flag, the Cross of Saint Piran or Saint Piran’s flag, doesn’t really fit into the broad categories of county flag types. It is not a banner of council arms nor is it derived from such a banner and it is not a new design by any means, having existed at least since the early nineteenth century. The first definitive reference to it is in an 1838 work entitled ‘The Parochial History of Cornwall’ by Davies Gilbert, ( Vol III, p. 332) in which he writes “a white cross on a black ground [that] was formerly the banner of St Perran and the Standard of Cornwall; probably with some allusion to the black ore and the white metal of tin“. A description that both informs and confuses because it’s unclear why he believes it to be “formerly” the” Standard of Cornwall” and does not indicate any time when it may have first been raised or named. Significantly though, this is evidence that the land of the Cornish was represented by a distinct flag decades before banners of arms or application of local symbols in flag form appeared for other counties.

The flag’s singular provenance reflects the unique character of the territory it represents. Whilst it received a local council in 1889 along with other British shires, Cornwall has an ethnic distinction that sets it apart from the other counties, being historically an assimilated Celtic land rather than plainly, a territorial division of England. Accordingly, asserting their status as a distinct nation comparable to Wales and Scotland, Cornish people contend that their flag is a national flag, symbolic of their distinct national identity and similarly comparable therefore to the Scottish saltire, the Welsh dragon or England’s cross of Saint George. Practically however, the territory has been regarded as one of England’s counties since roughly the later Middle Ages, following the gradual retreat of the language barrier behind which Cornish was spoken. This headed further and further west until to all intents and purposes, the language died out, some time in the eighteenth century; albeit that it has been revived by enthusiasts in the modern era. As Gilbert describes, the colours of the flag are traditionally held to symbolise the colours of black ore and the white tin (a distinctly Cornish product) which emerges from it.

Legend holds that the flag reflects the discovery of tin in the territory by the 6th century abbot, Saint Piran, who adopted the contrasting colours upon seeing the white molten tin spilling out of the black ore in his fire. He is accordingly recognised both as the patron saint of tin miners generally and of Cornwall particularly. An alternative but similar interpretation is that the colour white stands for Cornwall’s rich veins of tin while the black is the fertile, peaty soil which contains it. Another explanation describes the white light of truth shining through the blackness/darkness of evil! The flag is famously included in a stained-glass window at Westminster Abbey unveiled in 1888 in memory of the celebrated Cornish inventor and engineer Richard Trevithick. The tableau depicts an assemblage of saints including Saint Piran whose features appear modelled on Trevithick and who carries a Cornish flag. While this is one of the oldest depictions of the flag it is speculated that the flag’s origins date back several centuries; considering Gilbert’s description of the flag as being ‘formerly’ a Standard of Cornwall this indicates that it had been in use before 1838, although without any record of his research one may only speculate.

It is certainly true that Saint Piran’s flag has similarities with the flags of other Celtic nations and emblems used there. The historical and cultural links between Britanny and Cornwall are well attested and Cornwall’s flag is the reverse of that used in the Duchy of Brittany until 1532, namely white with a black cross suggesting an origin inspired by or perhaps alongside, their Celtic cousins across the channel. Accordingly it has been claimed that the design dates from the middle ages and was used in the first crusade. Strikingly, a number of the designs of the arms of Breton families feature the same white cross on black field as the Cornish flag, particularly noteworthy is the design and indeed the name of the Saint-Peran or Saint-Pezran family. Other such designs include Geoffroy le Borgne the Arnèke family and Rouvroy de Saint-Simon In the twentieth century a very similar flag, black with a gold cross, started to be used in Wales, originating as a symbol of the Church in Wales. While the similarity broadly appears to be coincidental one wonders if the colours and arrangement are in any way indicative of a general consensus of Celtic association with such patterns and colours?

In similar vein, one may consider the black and yellow colours of the arms of the Duchy of Cornwall and its precusor, the arms of the Earl of Cornwall also suggested as possible sources for the colours of Cornwall’s flag i.e. a black background with lighter coloured elements upon it. Given its designation as a symbol of national identity, the Cornish flag enjoys a wide usage and recognition being regularly seen around both Cornwall and the world as a symbol of the Cornish diaspora. It is widely displayed on cars and from buildings including those of Cornwall Council and appears particularly of course on Mrach 5th, St Piran’s Day, and at other Cornish festivals and celebrations, as well as wrestling competitions and rugby matches. It is seen below at the River Tamar, Cornwall’s eastern boundary As the symbol of Cornish nationality the flag is a ubiquitous feature across the territory The flag has also been adapted for use in the logos of a number of organisations, such as the flag of the Cornish Rugby Union Cornwall (England) This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website Cornwall (England) Cornwall has a white cross on black. I have seen this referred to as "the flag of St. Piran" or "St.

Petroc". Roy Stilling, 21 November 1995 The black flag with the white cross is the banner of Saint Piran, and is now recognized as the 'national flag' of Cornwall. Saint Piran is the patron saint of tin-miners. Tin was formerly the most important element in the economy of Cornwall. Is is said that Saint Piran derived his colours from his discovery of tin, a white metal in the black ashes of his fire. Another story tells that the colours stand for the ore and the metal, although Cornwall was of course famous for tin long before the beginning of the Christian era. An article in Encyclopædia Britannica tells that the flag was carried by the Cornish contigent at the Battle of Agincourt (1415). In a history of 1837 Saint Piran's flag was described as the "standard of Cornwall", and another of 1880 which said that: "The white cross of St. Piran was the ancient banner of the Cornish people." Source: Heraldry Society Flag Section Newsletter, Autumn 1969.

Jos Poels, 17 January 1996 According to Divi Kervella (Emblemes et symboles des Bretons et des Celtes [ker] , (headword 'Drapeau', p.41-42, col. ill. p. 38), the flag with the white cross on black field is shown and described as 'the banner of St. Pyran', in Cornish 'Baner Sen Pyran'. A few details can be added to what Jos Poels says in the reference page: Pyran was a bishop-abbot of Irish origin, who came to Cornwall in the Vth century, where he is said to have died aged 206 because of alcohol abuse (sic). The author further highlights the possible link between the Cornish flag and its exact reverse, the former Breton national flag (black cross on a white field). Cornwall was among the Celtic nations the closest to Brittany in several aspects. Another coincidence can be found in the arms of the Saint-Peran family in Brittany, which show a white cross pattee on a black field.

Ivan Sache, 3 March 2001 Notes, based on a presentation by Philip Rendle, at the ICV 19 in York, entitled "Cornwall: The Mysteries of St. Piran". Thanks to Phil for permission to forward these notes to FOTW. The Cornish flag in use today is a white upright cross centred on a black field, and is referred to as the St. Piran's (or Pirran's) cross. St. Piran was apparently a 6th Century holy man who floated across to Cornwall from Ireland on a millstone. He became patron saint of the tin miners of Cornwall, and in due course of Cornwall itself, with 5th March being celebrated as his Saint's day. Not much more seems to be known about him. The first firm reference to the St. Piran's cross flag dates from the 1830's, although several groups of antiquarians, Celtic revivalists and Cornish nationalists have laid claim to somewhat dubious earlier uses. In 1835 Davies Gilbert edited the history of over 200 Cornish parishes, including one called St.

Piran-in-the-Sands, where there is a reference to "a white cross on a black ground [that] was formerly the banner of St. Perran and the Standard of Cornwall; probably with some allusion to the black ore and the white metal of tin." It is not known where Gilbert obtained his information - probably from oral tradition. From his comments, the impression is gained that he believed it to be a flag that was much older. The unknown source of the flag has obviously resulted in many groups speculating on its origin. Here are a dozen possibilities: it was invented by D. Gilbert himself it is a relatively modern invention it was invented by the Cornish language scholar R. Morton Nance it was invented by Helena Charles, one of the founders of the Cornish Nationalist Party, who popularised the flag in the 1950's St. Piran melted tin ore, resulting in a tin (white) cross in the black ashes it is based on the arms of the Earl of Cornwall it is based on the black and white arms of Cornish families it is related to the Breton flag it is related to a Breton admiralty flag it is derived from the St.

George's cross, but given Cornish colours it is linked to the black and white livery of the Knights of St. John it is rooted in celtic cross designs As if that list isn't enough, there is the problem of frequent misidentifications. Being black and white, this flag is easily misidentified from colour flags in B&W photos. In particular, a photograph of the Duke of Edinburgh's standard on his car was published in a newspaper when he visited Truro. The second quarter on his standard is the white cross on blue of Greece (his birthplace), which showed up as white on black in the newspaper photograph. Several misattributions have been noted, including the sighting of a B&W flag at the Battle of the Boyne, skirmishes in Cornwall during the English Civil War in which St. Piran's crosses are commonly used in recreations, Cornish rebellions in 1549 and 1497 that were celebrated in 1999 and 1997 saw recreations with St. Piran's flags, and King Henry V had a Cornish contingent at the Battle of Agincourt.

This last misattribution appears to the basis of the Encyclopedia Britannica article that the flag dates to the 15th Century, but is highly speculative. Reference: Davies Gilbert (1838), Parochial History of Cornwall, Vol III, p. 332. Rob Raeside , 31 July 2001 In response to the paper above, the following comments were received from a contributer (name withheld by request) (responses are bulleted): The Cornish flag in use today is a white upright cross centred on a black field, and is referred to as the St. Piran's (or Pirran's) cross. I have never seen Piran spelt Pirran. Now and again the saint is referred to as Peran, the Cornish language original of his name, e.g. Deth Peran lowen tha whye, Happy St Piran's Day. This is especially true of people trying to 'reclaim' the original form into English.

In my own household we use the terms 'Cornish flag', 'the cross of St Piran' (anything where a white cross is charged on a black background) and, when we are speaking Cornish, the 'Gwidn ha Du' (literally, 'white and black', which is, coincidentally, also the name of the Breton flag, the Gwenn ha Du). St. Piran was apparently a 6th Century holy man who floated across to Cornwall from Ireland on a millstone. He became patron saint of the tin miners of Cornwall, and in due course of Cornwall itself, with 5th March being celebrated as his Saint's day. Not much more seems to be known about him. The way the legend was told in our area, St Piran was an Irish missionary whose original Irish name was Ciar�n (Ir. [c] to Corn. [p] is a standard sound change, well attested). Historically there was some confusion and competition between St Piran and St Petroc(k), but Piran won out in the end and is now universally referred to as Cornwall's national saint.

Given that tin mining was Cornwall's main industry (the original Cornish national toast and motto was 'Kober, Sten ha Pesk', or 'Copper, Tin and Fish', referring to the three core occupations of Cornish life), it is unsurprising that the patron saint of tinners should also become the patron saint of the country. There is a long history between Cornwall and Ireland. Cornwall became Christian through the efforts of Irish missionaries whose names are found in placenames throughout the country: Gwinear, Breage, St Erth, Merther, St Ives, and so on. The first firm reference to the St. Piran's cross flag dates from the 1830s, although several groups of antiquarians, Celtic revivalists and Cornish nationalists have laid claim to somewhat dubious earlier uses. Since we don't have any evidence of whether the flag was in fact used earlier or not, I think a better description would be 'unattested'. 'Dubious' is a little emotive. In 1835 Davies Gilbert edited the history of over 200 Cornish parishes, including one called St.

Piran-in-the-Sands, where there is a reference to "a white cross on a black ground [that] was formerly the banner of St. Perran and the Standard of Cornwall; probably with some allusion to the black ore and the white metal of tin." It is not known where Gilbert obtained his information - probably from oral tradition. From his comments, the impression is gained that he believed it to be a flag that was much older. Contrary to the legend that seems to be doing the rounds on the web (that the white represents tin flowing from the blackened hearth of St Piran's first campfire), I was told as a child that the white represented the rich veins of tin running throughout Cornwall, and that the black field was the fertile, peaty podsol soil in which the tin sat, waiting to be found. I dare say the flag is older than 1835. It is only a white cross on a black field, after all. The unknown source of the flag has obviously resulted in many groups speculating on its origin. Here are a dozen possibilities: it was invented by D.

Gilbert himself (unlikely, as the oral tradition is older) it is a relatively modern invention (see below) it was invented by the Cornish language scholar R. Morton Nance (there is no evidence for this; and if Gilbert mentioned it in 1835, Nance would merely have been popularising an extant design) it was invented by Helena Charles, one of the founders of the Cornish Nationalist Party, who popularised the flag in the 1950s (utter nonsense. The flag was well known by then.) St. Piran melted tin ore, resulting in a tin (white) cross in the black ashes (oral legend, possibly 'true') it is based on the arms of the Earl of Cornwall (again, utter nonsense. The arms of the Earl of Cornwall were a red lion rampant on a white field with a black border punctuated by silver (not gold) bezants. See Speed's 1510 map of Britain. The bezants go back to the ransom the Cornish people [tinners, probably] had to pay to have their earl released from [I think] Austrian or French captivity.

Part of this shield forms the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary logo today.) it is based on the black and white arms of Cornish families (such as? Most of the arms of Cornish families are based around the colour gold, e.g. Godolphin) it is related to the Breton flag (possibly; Cornwall and Brittany for long periods shared a single history, including a monarchy. There is a Kernev region of Brittany that echoes the Kernow [Cornish language] name of Cornwall. Both countries share legends of the sunken land of Lyonesse, ownership of the Tristan, Iseult and Arthurian myths) it is related to a Breton admiralty flag (unknown) it is derived from the St. George's cross, but given Cornish colours (I doubt it. In any case, this establishes that the white and black pre-date the flag.) it is linked to the black and white livery of the Knights of St. John (this is so ridiculous as to be unworthy of comment) it is rooted in celtic cross designs (unlikely). As if that list isn't enough, there is the problem of frequent misidentifications.

Being black and white, this flag is easily misidentified from colour flags in B&W photos. I can generally tell vague colours from black and white photographs by a process of tone juxtaposition, as can most people born before the advent of colour television, so the 'misattribution' of black and white photos might be a modern phenomenon. In any case, many old black and white photos were coloured in by watercolour, so this problem wouldn't arise. In particular, a photograph of the Duke of Edinburgh's standard on his car was published in a newspaper when he visited Truro. The second quarter on his standard is the white cross on blue of Greece (his birthplace), which showed up as white on black in the newspaper photograph. Flags are not generally a part of heraldry, and Cornish genes haven't made their way into the consanguine aristocracy of Europe as far as I know. Several misattributions have been noted, including the sighting of a B&W flag at the Battle of the Boyne, skirmishes in Cornwall during the English Civil War in which St.

Piran's crosses are commonly used in recreations, Cornish rebellions in 1549 and 1497 that were celebrated in 1999 and 1997 saw recreations with St. Piran's flags, and King Henry V had a Cornish contingent at the Battle of Agincourt. This last misattribution appears to the basis of the Encyclopedia Britannica article that the flag dates to the 15th Century, but is highly speculative. Speculations yes, but hardly misattributions. A misattribution is a mistake; someone may well turn up the Cornish flag brandished by the Cornish contingents at Agincourt or in the Civil War. There is no proof that the flag didn't exist then, and no proof that it did. Hence it is speculation. Anonymous, 5 March 2004 Coat of Arms by Ivan Sache, 3 March 2001 According to Divi Kervella (Emblemes et symboles des Bretons et des Celtes [ker] , headword 'Armoiries', p. 20, col. ill.

p.19), the coat of arms of Cornwall is 'sable, fifteen golden bezants placed 5-4-3-2-1'. The arms might be dated 1337, when Edward 'the Black Prince', son of king of England Edward III, was made Duke of Cornwall. The golden bezants on sable were already present as border of the shield of Richard, made count of Cornwall by his brother Henry III of England. The origin and meaning of the design are disputed. Ivan Sache, 3 March 2001 image by Graham Bartram The banner of arms of the Duchy is displayed in as the Standard of the Duke of Cornwall (the Prince of Wales). Jonathan Dixon, 13 July 2007 Duchy of Cornwall image by Graham Bartram, 30 October 2007 I observed this flag flying from the offices of the Duchy at 10 Buckingham Gate, Westminster (opposite Buckingham Palace). The flag contains a shield with the Duchy arms, with some sort of crown as crest (a ducal crown?), on a black over yellow field with a red and yellow three sided border.

Jonathan Dixon, 13 July 2007 Cornish ensigns??? by Ivan Sache, 22 March 2007 Divi Kervella reports in 'Ar Banniel' [arb] (#13, Winter 2000, p. 21, bw. ill.) a Cornish ensign made of the banner of St. Pyran with the pile of bezants placed in canton. The ensign was flown by the ship 'Sweet Promise', owned by captain John Greeneway, during the 'Brest 2000' festival. Ivan Sache, 3 March 2001 by António Martins Whilst on holiday in the Isles of Scilly I saw the above flag flown at the jackstaff of a civilian diving ship and on the flagpole of the local marine pilot. It is the Cornish flag (St Piran's Cross) with the addition of the United Kingdom union flag in the canton (like the Royal Navy's white ensign). The effect seems to be the creation of a Cornish naval ensign, and the local marine pilot says it is a new Cornish flag.

Would anyone have an idea just what it is, or is it purely a local creation? Mike Ingham, 19 May 1998 The Cornish Ensign design is on sale all over Cornwall. A good few boats have it, but it isn't the only place you see it. It appears to be a design which asserts regional identity without wanting to be separatist. As far as I know it has no official standing and is entirely spontaneous. Andy Fear, 15 August 2000 This flag is actually the house flag of a Cornish shipping company, but is often used as an unofficial "Cornish" ensign. Graham Bartram, 15 August 2000 This "Cornish ensign" is in fact just a sardonic symbol! As far as I am concerned it is a tongue in cheek design to depict that Cornwall is a colony of England as we are always being called English, when we are Cornish!

Phil in Cornwall, 6 April 2001 " The Flag Loft " sells a series of Cornish flags: Cornish Red Ensign: Red ensign with the Cornish flag in canton by Ivan Sache, 22 March 2007 Cornish bezants: Black flag with the Cornish bezants by Ivan Sache, 22 March 2007 Cornish Red Ensign defaced: Cornish Red Ensign with the Cornish bezants in lower fly by Ivan Sache, 22 March 2007 Cornish ensign defaced : Cornish ensign with the Cornish bezants in lower fly. by Ivan Sache, 22 March 2007 BBC - Devon - In a Flap Over Our New Flag FLAG FACTS The winning flag was designed by Ryan Sealey of Ashburton, Devon. The green and white design received 49% of the total votes cast in the final count. The Devon flag is to be registered with the Flag Institute. Vexillology is the scientific study of flags and related emblems. It is concerned with research into flags of all kinds, both modern and historical.

PRINT THIS PAGE View print friendly version of this page.. There's one place in Britain where the combination of green, white and a dash of black has always provoked strong passions - Glasgow. They are the colours of the city's Celtic football club, which together with Rangers FC make up the bitterest rivalry in British sport. But now, almost at entirely the opposite end of the country, that same palette is fuelling a clash with echoes of Scotland's legendary Old Firm rivalry. Here in Devon, the zephyrs that blow off the Atlantic have this summer given flutter to a previously unseen spectacle: a flag of green, white and black. It is the flag of Devon. Flying the flag in Northam, Devon There's nothing ancient about the design - a white cross with black outline on a green background - or how it was selected, by voting on the internet. But in a short time the flag has started to take root. Tourism chiefs have seized on it as a clever marketing ploy; the image now sits permanently on this website; and one of Britain's leading flag makers has reported unprecedented interest. "In a few months it has achieved the sort of popularity that takes years or decades for most regional flags," says Charles Ashburner, of Mrflag.com.

But travel west, across the Tamar river that divides Devon from our neighbour Cornwall, and not everyone is so happy. Where Devon's flag was knocked up in 10 minutes by a student on his home computer, Cornwall's - a white cross on a black background - has been around for 1,000 years. Slanging match That flag has become a rallying emblem for Cornish independence and embodies the ancient Celtic heritage that nationalists believe distinguishes them from Englanders. SEW IT GOES Designed by Devon student Ryan Sealey and beat others in our internet poll Widespread use will gain it 'official' status Is expected to be recognised by the Flag Institute What really grates with the Cornish patriots is how ardent Devonians are using their new flag to stake out their own claims of a recent Celtic history. They even want to name the flag after St Petroc, a Celtic saint better known for his Cornish connections. The issue has provoked heated exchanges on internet chat sites, with the Cornish accusing their neighbours of hi-jacking their identity and Devonians hitting back, claiming sour grapes. Leading Cornish nationalist John Angarrack refused to talk to the BBC, but forwarded his views from a recent e-mail exchange.

"Promote Devon all you want, but do not denude Cornish distinctiveness in the process," Mr Angarrack tells his adversary. "Devon is a county of England despite any dodgy marketing ploy like the Devonshire flag. Reject this nonsense but cherish and defend the beating heart of Cornish culture." Celtic cult The idea for a Devon flag seeded itself last year after an article appeared on BBC Devon's website vigorously reasserting the county's Celtic past. Convention has it that the Celts were forced out of Devon, and into Cornwall by the Anglo Saxons, rendering the county as English as Surrey or Kent. But there is a growing feeling in the South West that Celtic influence was not expunged and is greater than traditionally thought. Passionate Devonian Paul Turner, who runs a "Celtic Devon" website, believes the bust up is down to the Cornish "feeling threatened" by Devon's new Celtic pride. "They are being unreasonable, saying we cannot feel the way we do and they don't have a right to tell us that," says Mr Turner. Bob Burns, another champion of the new flag, accuses the Cornish of "distorting history" in a bid to carve out a separate identity from their neighbours.

The Cornish call this "Devonwall" politics - an attempt by Devon to hi-jack Cornish identity. "People are quite aware in Devon that the Cornish make political capital by claiming to be different," says Dr Mark Stoyle, a Devon historian. "Besides, it's fashionable to be a minority." A backlash against city-dwellers settling in the South West has also led to this new-found Devonian identity, he suggests. The row has even spilled over into academia, with Cornwall's leading historical scholar, Prof Philip Payton, accusing Devon of "wanting to invent traditions". "The idea of naming the flag after St Petroc is gratuitously offensive," says Prof Payton. "Most people here will treat it with mild disdain." But they'd better get used to it. A Devon company, Jetz Novelties, has just signed an order to make 20,000 hand-held Devon flags, and has plans for flag-emblazoned baseball caps and cuddly bears. Boss Richard May is determined to make the flag a success. "I won't be happy," he says, "until every sandcastle in Devon has one of those flags on top." And neither will we.

Cornwall (United Kingdom) This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website Cornwall (United Kingdom) Cornwall has a white cross on black. I have seen this referred to as "the flag of St. Piran" or "St. Petroc". Roy Stilling, 21 November 1995 The black flag with the white cross is the banner of Saint Piran, and is now recognized as the 'national flag' of Cornwall. Saint Piran is the patron saint of tin-miners. Tin was formerly the most important element in the economy of Cornwall. Is is said that Saint Piran derived his colours from his discovery of tin, a white metal in the black ashes of his fire. Another story tells that the colours stand for the ore and the metal, although Cornwall was of course famous for tin long before the beginning of the Christian era. An article in Encyclopædia Britannica tells that the flag was carried by the Cornish contigent at the Battle of Agincourt (1415).

In a history of 1837 Saint Piran's flag was described as the "standard of Cornwall", and another of 1880 which said that: "The white cross of St. Piran was the ancient banner of the Cornish people." Source: Heraldry Society Flag Section Newsletter, Autumn 1969. Jos Poels, 17 January 1996 According to Divi Kervella (Emblemes et symboles des Bretons et des Celtes [ker] , (headword 'Drapeau', p.41-42, col. ill. p. 38), the flag with the white cross on black field is shown and described as 'the banner of St. Pyran', in Cornish 'Baner Sen Pyran'. A few details can be added to what Jos Poels says in the reference page: Pyran was a bishop-abbot of Irish origin, who came to Cornwall in the Vth century, where he is said to have died aged 206 because of alcohol abuse (sic). The author further highlights the possible link between the Cornish flag and its exact reverse, the former Breton national flag (black cross on a white field).

Cornwall was among the Celtic nations the closest to Brittany in several aspects. Another coincidence can be found in the arms of the Saint-Peran family in Brittany, which show a white cross pattee on a black field. Ivan Sache, 3 March 2001 Notes, based on a presentation by Philip Rendle, at the ICV 19 in York, entitled "Cornwall: The Mysteries of St. Piran". Thanks to Phil for permission to forward these notes to FOTW. The Cornish flag in use today is a white upright cross centred on a black field, and is referred to as the St. Piran's (or Pirran's) cross. St. Piran was apparently a 6th Century holy man who floated across to Cornwall from Ireland on a millstone. He became patron saint of the tin miners of Cornwall, and in due course of Cornwall itself, with 5th March being celebrated as his Saint's day. Not much more seems to be known about him. The first firm reference to the St.

Piran's cross flag dates from the 1830's, although several groups of antiquarians, Celtic revivalists and Cornish nationalists have laid claim to somewhat dubious earlier uses. In 1835 Davies Gilbert edited the history of over 200 Cornish parishes, including one called St. Piran-in-the-Sands, where there is a reference to "a white cross on a black ground [that] was formerly the banner of St. Perran and the Standard of Cornwall; probably with some allusion to the black ore and the white metal of tin." It is not known where Gilbert obtained his information - probably from oral tradition. From his comments, the impression is gained that he believed it to be a flag that was much older. The unknown source of the flag has obviously resulted in many groups speculating on its origin. Here are a dozen possibilities: it was invented by D. Gilbert himself it is a relatively modern invention it was invented by the Cornish language scholar R. Morton Nance it was invented by Helena Charles, one of the founders of the Cornish Nationalist Party, who popularised the flag in the 1950's St.

Piran melted tin ore, resulting in a tin (white) cross in the black ashes it is based on the arms of the Earl of Cornwall it is based on the black and white arms of Cornish families it is related to the Breton flag it is related to a Breton admiralty flag it is derived from the St. George's cross, but given Cornish colours it is linked to the black and white livery of the Knights of St. John it is rooted in celtic cross designs As if that list isn't enough, there is the problem of frequent misidentifications. Being black and white, this flag is easily misidentified from colour flags in B&W photos. In particular, a photograph of the Duke of Edinburgh's standard on his car was published in a newspaper when he visited Truro. The second quarter on his standard is the white cross on blue of Greece (his birthplace), which showed up as white on black in the newspaper photograph. Several misattributions have been noted, including the sighting of a B&W flag at the Battle of the Boyne, skirmishes in Cornwall during the English Civil War in which St.

Piran's crosses are commonly used in recreations, Cornish rebellions in 1549 and 1497 that were celebrated in 1999 and 1997 saw recreations with St. Piran's flags, and King Henry V had a Cornish contingent at the Battle of Agincourt. This last misattribution appears to the basis of the Encyclopedia Britannica article that the flag dates to the 15th Century, but is highly speculative. Reference: Davies Gilbert (1838), Parochial History of Cornwall, Vol III, p. 332. Rob Raeside , 31 July 2001 In response to the paper above, the following comments were received from Criost�ir � Ciardha (responses are bulleted): The Cornish flag in use today is a white upright cross centred on a black field, and is referred to as the St. Piran's (or Pirran's) cross. I have never seen Piran spelt Pirran. Now and again the saint is referred to as Peran, the Cornish language original of his name, e.g.

Deth Peran lowen tha whye, Happy St Piran's Day. This is especially true of people trying to 'reclaim' the original form into English. In my own household we use the terms 'Cornish flag', 'the cross of St Piran' (anything where a white cross is charged on a black background) and, when we are speaking Cornish, the 'Gwidn ha Du' (literally, 'white and black', which is, coincidentally, also the name of the Breton flag, the Gwenn ha Du). St. Piran was apparently a 6th Century holy man who floated across to Cornwall from Ireland on a millstone. He became patron saint of the tin miners of Cornwall, and in due course of Cornwall itself, with 5th March being celebrated as his Saint's day. Not much more seems to be known about him. The way the legend was told in our area, St Piran was an Irish missionary whose original Irish name was Ciar�n (Ir. [c] to Corn. [p] is a standard sound change, well attested).

Historically there was some confusion and competition between St Piran and St Petroc(k), but Piran won out in the end and is now universally referred to as Cornwall's national saint. Given that tin mining was Cornwall's main industry (the original Cornish national toast and motto was 'Kober, Sten ha Pesk', or 'Copper, Tin and Fish', referring to the three core occupations of Cornish life), it is unsurprising that the patron saint of tinners should also become the patron saint of the country. There is a long history between Cornwall and Ireland. Cornwall became Christian through the efforts of Irish missionaries whose names are found in placenames throughout the country: Gwinear, Breage, St Erth, Merther, St Ives, and so on. The first firm reference to the St. Piran's cross flag dates from the 1830s, although several groups of antiquarians, Celtic revivalists and Cornish nationalists have laid claim to somewhat dubious earlier uses. Since we don't have any evidence of whether the flag was in fact used earlier or not, I think a better description would be 'unattested'. 'Dubious' is a little emotive.

In 1835 Davies Gilbert edited the history of over 200 Cornish parishes, including one called St. Piran-in-the-Sands, where there is a reference to "a white cross on a black ground [that] was formerly the banner of St. Perran and the Standard of Cornwall; probably with some allusion to the black ore and the white metal of tin." It is not known where Gilbert obtained his information - probably from oral tradition. From his comments, the impression is gained that he believed it to be a flag that was much older. Contrary to the legend that seems to be doing the rounds on the web (that the white represents tin flowing from the blackened hearth of St Piran's first campfire), I was told as a child that the white represented the rich veins of tin running throughout Cornwall, and that the black field was the fertile, peaty podsol soil in which the tin sat, waiting to be found. I dare say the flag is older than 1835. It is only a white cross on a black field, after all. The unknown source of the flag has obviously resulted in many groups speculating on its origin.

Here are a dozen possibilities: it was invented by D. Gilbert himself (unlikely, as the oral tradition is older) it is a relatively modern invention (see below) it was invented by the Cornish language scholar R. Morton Nance (there is no evidence for this; and if Gilbert mentioned it in 1835, Nance would merely have been popularising an extant design) it was invented by Helena Charles, one of the founders of the Cornish Nationalist Party, who popularised the flag in the 1950s (utter nonsense. The flag was well known by then.) St. Piran melted tin ore, resulting in a tin (white) cross in the black ashes (oral legend, possibly 'true') it is based on the arms of the Earl of Cornwall (again, utter nonsense. The arms of the Earl of Cornwall were a red lion rampant on a white field with a black border punctuated by silver (not gold) bezants. See Speed's 1510 map of Britain. The bezants go back to the ransom the Cornish people [tinners, probably] had to pay to have their earl released from [I think] Austrian or French captivity.

Part of this shield forms the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary logo today.) it is based on the black and white arms of Cornish families (such as? Most of the arms of Cornish families are based around the colour gold, e.g. Godolphin) it is related to the Breton flag (possibly; Cornwall and Brittany for long periods shared a single history, including a monarchy. There is a Kernev region of Brittany that echoes the Kernow [Cornish language] name of Cornwall. Both countries share legends of the sunken land of Lyonesse, ownership of the Tristan, Iseult and Arthurian myths) it is related to a Breton admiralty flag (unknown) it is derived from the St. George's cross, but given Cornish colours (I doubt it. In any case, this establishes that the white and black pre-date the flag.) it is linked to the black and white livery of the Knights of St. John (this is so ridiculous as to be unworthy of comment) it is rooted in celtic cross designs (unlikely). As if that list isn't enough, there is the problem of frequent misidentifications.

Being black and white, this flag is easily misidentified from colour flags in B&W photos. I can generally tell vague colours from black and white photographs by a process of tone juxtaposition, as can most people born before the advent of colour television, so the 'misattribution' of black and white photos might be a modern phenomenon. In any case, many old black and white photos were coloured in by watercolour, so this problem wouldn't arise. In particular, a photograph of the Duke of Edinburgh's standard on his car was published in a newspaper when he visited Truro. The second quarter on his standard is the white cross on blue of Greece (his birthplace), which showed up as white on black in the newspaper photograph. Flags are not generally a part of heraldry, and Cornish genes haven't made their way into the consanguine aristocracy of Europe as far as I know. Several misattributions have been noted, including the sighting of a B&W flag at the Battle of the Boyne, skirmishes in Cornwall during the English Civil War in which St.

Piran's crosses are commonly used in recreations, Cornish rebellions in 1549 and 1497 that were celebrated in 1999 and 1997 saw recreations with St. Piran's flags, and King Henry V had a Cornish contingent at the Battle of Agincourt. This last misattribution appears to the basis of the Encyclopedia Britannica article that the flag dates to the 15th Century, but is highly speculative. Speculations yes, but hardly misattributions. A misattribution is a mistake; someone may well turn up the Cornish flag brandished by the Cornish contingents at Agincourt or in the Civil War. There is no proof that the flag didn't exist then, and no proof that it did. Hence it is speculation. Criost�ir � Ciardha, 5 March 2004 Coat of Arms by Ivan Sache, 3 March 2001 According to Divi Kervella (Emblemes et symboles des Bretons et des Celtes [ker] , headword 'Armoiries', p. 20, col. ill.

p.19), the coat of arms of Cornwall is 'sable, fifteen golden bezants placed 5-4-3-2-1'. The arms might be dated 1337, when Edward 'the Black Prince', son of king of England Edward III, was made Duke of Cornwall. The golden bezants on sable were already present as border of the shield of Richard, made count of Cornwall by his brother Henry III of England. The origin and meaning of the design are disputed. Ivan Sache, 3 March 2001 by Ivan Sache, 3 March 2001 Divi Kervella reports in 'Ar Banniel' [arb] (#13, Winter 2000, p. 21, bw. ill.) a Cornish ensign made of the banner of St. Pyran with the pile of bezants placed in canton. The ensign was flown by the ship 'Sweet Promise', owned by captain John Greeneway, during the 'Brest 2000' festival. Ivan Sache, 3 March 2001 A Cornish ensign?

by António Martins Whilst on holiday in the Isles of Scilly I saw the above flag flown at the jackstaff of a civilian diving ship and on the flagpole of the local marine pilot. It is the Cornish flag (St Piran's Cross) with the addition of the United Kingdom union flag in the canton (like the Royal Navy's white ensign). The effect seems to be the creation of a Cornish naval ensign, and the local marine pilot says it is a new Cornish flag. Would anyone have an idea just what it is, or is it purely a local creation? Mike Ingham, 19 May 1998 The Cornish Ensign design is on sale all over Cornwall. A good few boats have it, but it isn't the only place you see it. It appears to be a design which asserts regional identity without wanting to be separatist. As far as I know it has no official standing and is entirely spontaneous. Andy Fear, 15 August 2000 This flag is actually the house flag of a Cornish shipping company, but is often used as an unofficial "Cornish" ensign.

Graham Bartram, 15 August 2000 This "Cornish ensign" is in fact just a sardonic symbol! As far as I am concerned it is a tongue in cheek design to depict that Cornwall is a colony of England as we are always being called English, when we are Cornish! Phil in Cornwall, 6 April 2001 Cornwall Rugby Football Union flag by Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 29 September 2001 The Cornwall Rugby Football Union flag is seen it at rugby games Cornwall play. It is a basic St. Piran flag but in the white cross is the thin gold lines for the rugby team. Phil from Cornwall, 7 September 2001 The Cornwall Rugby Football Union flag can be located from their website . This flag has two narrow gold stripes in each quarter, and (officially?) what is probably the CRFU emblem in the center. Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 29 September 2001 Cornish Flag, Cornwall has its own banner Cornish Flag, Cornwall has its own banner The Cornish Flag is a black background with a white cross.

The flag of Cornwall is actually the the flag of St. Piran but it has been adopted as the Cornish National flag as St. Piran is the Patron Saint of Cornwall. Whilst having a certain popularity in Cornwall today, the flag does not appear to be more than a few hundred years old. Nobody has produced old manuscripts or paintings that date it any earlier than the 18th century. One version of the legend of St Piran "finding" his flag is that the Romans had smelted tin in Cornwall, but the method of doing so had since been lost. St. Piran "rediscovered" tin-smelting by accident when the black hearthstone he was using happened to contain tin-bearing ore. The molten tin smelted out of the stone in the heat of the hearth and rose to the top in the form of a white cross. Hence the flag One of the oldest crosses in Cornwall is the St. PiranCross which stands in the sandhills of Perranporth near the ruins of St Pirans Oratory. This cross is mentioned in a charter of King Edgar in A.D. 960, and was considered an old landmark even at that date.

An article in Encyclopædia Britannica is supposed to record that the flag was carried by the Cornish contigent at the Battle of Agincourt (1415). I have not been able to track down the original article, and it may well be web sites merely copying one another. The first real reference to the St. Piran's cross flag dates from 1835. Davies Gilbert edited the history of over 200 Cornish parishes - "The Parochial History of Cornwall. Founded on the Manuscript Histories of Mr Hals and Mr Tonkin: with Additions and Various Appendices" ). Davies Gilbert was a national figure who had been President of the Royal Society 1827-1830, so was no back street journalist. Under the parish of St. Piran-in-the-Sands he refers to "a white cross on a black ground [that] was formerly the banner of St.

Perran and the Standard of Cornwall; probably with some allusion to the black ore and the white metal of tin." It is unclear where Gilbert obtained his information - perhaps from either oral tradition or maybe the "Manuscript Histories of Mr Hals and Mr Tonkin:" It could be related to the Breton flag. The Kroaz Du (above) dates from the middle ages, probably just after the Crusades. It was given to Pierre Mauclerc by Pope Gregor IX in 1236 or 1237. The Kroaz Du was then used by Breton sailors and soldiers, and was probably the national flag of the independent state of Brittany until 1532. The Kroaz Du has been attested in reliable sources only since the XVth century. It is reproduced as the Breton civil ensign in the Almanach de Trodec (XVth century), the Manuel de Pilotage de Brouscon (XVth century), and on Homan's map (1559).

Flag of Cornwall - Wikishire Flag of Cornwall Souvenir flags outside a café Saint Piran's Day celebrations in Penzance Flying the flag in Portloe The Cornish Flag is the flag of the county of Cornwall . The earliest known description of the flag as the Standard of Cornwall was written in 1838. [1] It is used by Cornish people as a symbol of identity. [2] It is a white cross on a black background. The flag is attributed to Saint Piran, a 6th-century Cornish abbot. Saint Piran is supposed to have adopted these two colours from seeing the molten tin spilling out of the black ore in his fire. This occurred during his supposed discovery of tin in Cornwall, thus becoming the patron saint of tin miners. Contents 5 Outside links Origins There are claims that the design dates from prior to 1188 when the flag was used in the Crusades, [3] and an article in Encyclopædia Britannica tells that the flag was carried by the Cornish contingent at the Battle of Agincourt (1415).

[4] However, the reference given by Encyclopædia Britannica seems to have been confused with one that comes from a 1590 poem entitled "Poly-Olbion" by Michael Drayton. It states that the banner carried by the Cornish men at Agincourt depicted two Cornish Wrestlers in a hitch. [5] The earliest known evidence of this flag was recorded by Davies Gilbert in his 1838 work: 'The Parochial History of Cornwall', where he gives reference to.. "a white cross on a black ground [that] was formerly the banner of St Perran and the Standard of Cornwall; probably with some allusion to the black ore and the white metal of tin" [1] [2] The fact that Gilbert identifies it as being 'formerly' a Standard of Cornwall implies that he believed it to have been used before 1838. [1] However, Gilbert did not leave a record of his background research, and referred only to his "recollection". [2] One of the oldest depictions of the flag can be seen in a stained-glass window at Westminster Abbey.

It was unveiled in 1888 in memory of the famous Cornish inventor and engineer Richard Trevithick. The window depicts St Michael at the top and nine Cornish saints, Piran, Petroc, Pinnock, Germanus, Julian, Cyriacus, Constantine, Nonna and Geraint in tiers below. The head of St Piran appears to be a portrait of Trevithick himself and the figure carries the banner of Cornwall. [6] Clues to its origin The Standard of the Army of the Breton Duchy. The Flag of Saint David Saint Piran's flag has similarities to the old Breton flag and the Flag of Saint David. The cultural links between Brittany, Wales and Cornwall are well recorded. Saint Piran's Flag is the negative image of the old Breton Flag, a black cross on a white field. The Flag of Saint David shares a black background with Saint Piran's Flag, but is surmounted by a gold, rather than a white, cross.

It has also been suggested that it may have been based on the arms of the Earl of Cornwall, or the later Duchy of Cornwall; based on the arms of other Cornish families; or be linked with the black and white livery of the Knights of St John. [2] The flag is commonly understood to represent the white tin metal against the black tin ore; symbolically, however, the flag is said to represent the light of truth shining through the blackness/darkness of evil. Another theory of the black and white colours is that the white cross represents the igneous/metamorphic rocks of colour such as granite and schists mainly found in the southwest of Cornwall, while the black background represents the weathered Devonian slate and Carboniferous sandstone, both of which are mainly black-greyish in appearance, of the northern part of Cornwall. Usage The flag is widely displayed on cars and from buildings including those of Cornwall Council.

[7] It is flown at most Cornish gatherings such as the Gorseth Kernow, St Piran's Day (5 March), Camborne 's Trevithick Day (April), Padstow 's 'Obby 'Oss festival (May), Helston 's Flora Day (May), and at Cornish rugby matches. It is regularly seen around Cornwall on car stickers with the word Kernow (Cornish for Cornwall), and is used around the world as a symbol of the Cornish diaspora or overseas Cornish associations. It has been adapted for use in the logos of a number of organisations, such as the Cornwall district of the Methodist Church, is used by a variety of Cornish businesses such as Ginsters, and is seen on the design of the Cornish All Blacks rugby shirt as well as Cornish Pirates rugby logo. [7] Cornwall | VexiWiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Edit The flag represents St. Piran, the patron saint of Cornwall, and also a 6th century abbot. Saint Piran is supposed to have adopted these two colours from seeing the molten tin spilling out of the black ore in his fire.

This occurred during his supposed discovery of tin in the sixth century thus becoming the patron saint of tin miners. [3] Usage Edit Cornwall's flag is now more commonly seen flying from flag poles across Cornwall than the Union Flag or the Cross of St George, yet only a generation ago many saw it as a nationalist symbol for Mebyon Kernow. However for many today it is a symbol of pride in Cornish distinctiveness rather than a political call for independence. It is regularly seen around Cornwall on car stickers with the word 'Kernow' (Cornish for Cornwall), and is used around the world as a symbol of the Cornish diaspora or overseas Cornish associations. In Cornwall it is used on a variety of Cornish merchandising products and is seen on the design of the Cornish All Blacks rugby shirt as well as Cornish Pirates rugby logo. Origins British County & Regional Flags : Cornwall British County & Regional Flags Cornwall Flag size 5' x 3' (1500mm x 900mm) Content - 100% polyester. The flag of Cornwall is a traditional flag. The Cornwall flag has the St Pirran's cross. It is a black background with a white cross.

The Flag of Cornwall is available to purchase online at £7.50 Description Flag size 5' x 3' (1500mm x 900mm) Content - 100% polyester. The flag of Cornwall is a traditional flag. The Cornwall flag has the St Pirran's cross. It is a black background with a white cross. The Flag of Cornwall is available to purchase online at Units in box: 1 There are yet no reviews for this product. Your Order

Question: The flag of Cornwall is a white cross on a background of what colour?
Answer: BLACK